John Templeton Foundation
The John Templeton Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Established in 1987 by Sir John Templeton, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt foundation and is classified as a private foundation under IRS regulations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.6B
+5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$134.4M
+6.0% YoY
Grant Count
426
+6.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$315K
-0.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John Templeton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $177.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The John Templeton Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind. The Foundation supports research on subjects ranging from complexity, evolution, and emergence to creativity, forgiveness, and free will. It encourages civil, informed dialogue among scientists, philosophers, and theologians, as well as between such experts and the public at large.
Vision: The Foundation's vision is one of infinite scientific and spiritual progress, in which all people aspire to and attain a deeper understanding of the universe and their place in it. The Foundation looks forward to a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, motivated to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Character Virtue Development
- Individual Freedom & Free Markets
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical & Physical Sciences
- Philosophy & Theology
- Public Engagement
- Religion, Science, and Society
- Wellbeing
The Foundation also administers the Templeton Prize, an annual cash award exceeding the value of the Nobel Prize, which honors individuals whose exemplary achievements harness the power of the sciences to explore the deepest questions of the universe and humankind's place and purpose within it.
Grantmaking
The Foundation makes approximately 400-426 grants annually. Recent grant activity shows distributions of approximately $150 million per year as of recent filings.
Grant Range
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on California, the District of Columbia, and New York, though it supports research and programs nationally and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets (2024):
- Total assets: $3,599,488,250 ($3.6 billion)
Revenue & Expenses (2024):
- Total revenues: $258,662,276
- Total expenses: $169,819,545
- Total giving: $134,360,998
Liabilities (2024):
- Total liabilities: $2,520,000
Tax-Exempt Status: The Foundation has been tax-exempt since July 1988 (EIN: 62-1322826).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,599,488,250 | $3,398,215,797 | $2,941,369,919 |
| Revenue | $258,662,276 | $175,754,080 | $-48,932,597 |
| Expenses | $169,819,545 | $162,459,116 | $212,426,672 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $154,923,589 | $150,479,870 | $182,651,554 |
| Net Investment Income | $276,644,897 | $166,108,209 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $177,068,815 | $159,248,951 | $159,297,373 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John Templeton Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Atlas Economic Research Foundation ($2,176,681), Baylor University ($2,001,684), Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University ($1,023,793).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A HAVEN EXTON, PA | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ACADEMIA BRASILERA DE CRISTAOS NA CIENCIA | READINGS AND WRITINGS ON THE INTERFACE OF FAITH, SCIENCE, AND PHILOSOPHY | $357,407 |
| ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY GRAND RAPIDS, MI | THE POVERTYCURE CENTER AT THE ACTON INSTITUTE | $1,018,000 |
| ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY GRAND RAPIDS, MI | STAFF RECOGNITION AWARD DONATION | $750 |
| ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY GRAND RAPIDS, MI | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WASHINGTON, DC | BRINGING DIVERSE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES TO THE DIALOGUE ON SCIENCE, ETHICS, & RELIGION | $23,459 |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WASHINGTON, DC | BRINGING DIVERSE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES TO THE DIALOGUE ON SCIENCE, ETHICS, & RELIGION | $23,423 |
| AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION INC MARTINSVILLE, IN | PROMOTING CHARACTER THROUGH COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING PROGRAMS AT MEDICAL SPECIALTY CAMPS | $129,431 |
| AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT DIVISION 36 SOCIETY FOR THE PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY | $125,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel (2024):
- Heather Templeton Dill, President
- Dawn M. Bryant, Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and General Counsel
- Brian Crawford, Director of Investments
- Linda Kiraly Gilbert, Assistant Treasurer
- Ann Cameron, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
- Harvey M. Templeton III, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
Board Members (2024):
- Lauren Templeton, Trustee and Chairperson
- John H. Templeton, Trustee
- Jeffrey Everett, Trustee
- Jennifer Simpson, Trustee
- Jewel Sideman, Trustee
- Kim Tan, Trustee
Staff: The Foundation employs 57 full-time staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN CRAWFORD | DIRECTOR INVESTMENTS | 40 | $599,408 |
| DAWN M BRYANT | EXEC VP/ASST SECY/GEN COUNSEL | 40 | $608,649 |
| HEATHER TEMPLETON DILL | PRESIDENT | 40 | $440,000 |
| LINDA KIRALY GILBERT | ASST TREASURER (AS OF 7/22/24) | 40 | $181,539 |
| ANN CAMERON | TREASURER/ASST SECY | 2 | $1,500 |
| HARVEY M TEMPLETON III | SECY/ASST TREASURER | 2 | $3,000 |
| JEFFREY EVERETT | TRUSTEE | 2 | $27,700 |
| JENNIFER SIMPSON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JEWEL SIDEMAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | $21,200 |
| JOHN H TEMPLETON | TRUSTEE | 2 | $32,200 |
| KIM TAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | $22,200 |
| LAUREN TEMPLETON | TRUSTEE/CHAIRPERSON | 2 | $29,700 |
| LEIGH CAMERON | TRUSTEE/CHAIRPERSON | 2 | $33,200 |
| LORENTZ GREGORY JONES | TRUSTEE | 2 | $23,200 |
| MAGATTE WADE | TRUSTEE | 2 | $17,350 |
| PAUL DAVIES | TRUSTEE (AS OF 7/01/24) | 2 | $7,650 |
| PHILIP CLAYTON | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 6/30/24) | 2 | $12,250 |
| WILLIAM DAVID LLOYD | TRUSTEE (AS OF 7/01/24) | 2 | $10,950 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Recent Grant Announcements:**
Constructive Dialogue Institute received a $4.5 million grant focused on research on hope
CTI Secures $4.5mil Templeton Foundation Research Grant on Hope \u2014 CTILumen Christi Institute received a $2.1 million grant
Constructive Dialogue Institute Receives $4.5 Million Grant from the ...Children and Screens received a grant to advance research on youth character development in the digital age
CTI Secures $4.5mil Templeton Foundation Research Grant on Hope \u2014 CTIThe Foundation announced 84 new grants in the first half of 2025
John Templeton Foundation Announces 84 New Grants**Historical Context:**
1972: Sir John Templeton established the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion
CTI Secures $4.5mil Templeton Foundation Research Grant on Hope \u2014 CTI1987: Sir John Templeton established the John Templeton Foundation and was made Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II
CTI Secures $4.5mil Templeton Foundation Research Grant on Hope \u2014 CTI1992: The Foundation announced its first general research program
CTI Secures $4.5mil Templeton Foundation Research Grant on Hope \u2014 CTI1997: Sir John Templeton established Templeton Press to publish books promoting deeper understanding of the relationship between science and spirituality
CTI Secures $4.5mil Templeton Foundation Research Grant on Hope \u2014 CTI2008: The Foundation was awarded the National Humanities Medal
Children and Screens Awarded Prestigious Grant from The John Templeton FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John Templeton Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The John Templeton Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the deepest and most perplexing questions facing humankind. The Foundation supports research on subjects ranging from complexity, evolution, and emergence to creativity, forgiveness, and free will. It encourages civil, informed dialogue among scientists, philosophers, and theologians, as well as between such experts and the public at large. **Vision:** The Foundation's vision is o…
How do I apply for a grant from John Templeton Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The Foundation makes approximately 400-426 grants annually. Recent grant activity shows distributions of approximately $150 million per year as of recent filings. **Grant Sizes:** • Median grant amount: $191,000-$217,000 • Grant range: $250 to $3.4-$15.4 million • Typical awards: $250–$15,455,999 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Atlas Network: $2,176,681 (Ease of Employment, Livelihood, and Formality) • Baylor University: $2,001,684 (Global Flourishing Study: Piloting and Waves 1…
Where does John Templeton Foundation make grants?
The Foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on California, the District of Columbia, and New York, though it supports research and programs nationally and internationally.
What size grants does John Templeton Foundation award?
In 2024, John Templeton Foundation awarded 426 grants totaling $134.4M — an average of about $315K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is John Templeton Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, John Templeton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $177.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is John Templeton Foundation's EIN?
John Templeton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1322826. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John Templeton Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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